Coating for welding rods



l atented dune l7, lbdfil WEEK A. WISSJLm OF JAGKSQN ELEIGHTb, NEW YQRK, A$SIGNQE [96 HAYNES STELLIEE on, A CORFPQEATIQN F INDIANA.

CGAEING FQR WELDHG RQDS lt'o Drawing.

My invention is a welding flux, particularly adapted to electric welding of the type which is carried out by using a metal rod as one terminal of an arc and transferring metal by means of the arc to the metal to be welded.

lln arc welding, considerable difiiculty is experienced in maintaining the arc and consequently in obtaining a continuous homogeneone deposition of metal. The intense heat of the arc favors reactions of the weld metal with the surrounding gases, and a flux to protect the welded metal is desirable. it is known that the arc will be more stable and operate in a more satisfactory manner it welding electrodes are coated.

It is desirable to have rods coated with an arc stabilizing material that will evolve a relatively large quantity of a protective gas before the metal has been heated to liquefaction, that will produce a residual material which will flux compounds such as oxides, that will form a protective layer on the deposited metal and that will form a residual flux which is not effervescent. The coating should be of such nature that it will not be removed when the rodsare handled.

I have made electrodes embodying these advantages by applying to a rod of iron or so other metal or alloy 9. mixture containing a flux composed of a mixture of dry powdered calcium carbonate, silica and borax glass and a vehicle consisting of shellac or a varnish gum and a non-aqueous volatile as thinner. The preferred coating com ositi'on is made by mixin equal arts of ry calcium carbonate, si ice and orax glass with a suflicient quantit of a shellac-alcohol mixture to make a t in coatin on the rods when they are dipped into or rushed with the coatin material. I prefer to use equal arts of t e calcium carbonate, silica and orax glass but a wide variation in the proportions of the ingredients will 0 erate satisfactorily. Other carbonates of t e alkaline earths may be substituted for or used with the calcium, carbonate and dry sodium car bonate may be substituted for or used with the borax glass. A varnish containing a varnish resin may be used for the vehicle Application filed November 22, 1927. Serial No. $235,122.

and it is sometimes desirable to do so where the electrodes are subjected to rough han dling. The rods may be entirely or partially covered with the coating.

The physical characteristics of the film are similar to those of varnish or paint and it is not injurious to the welding metal and does not materially alter its composition. The material that is deposited with the weld metal is a quiescent melted flux for metal oxides and it provides a protective coating for the weld.

What I claim is:

l. A flux forming material containing about equal parts of an alkaline earth carbonate, silica and borax glass, said material being free from reducible metals and substances that emit water when heated,

2. A flux forming material comprising a mixture consisting ofabout equal parts of calcium carbonate, silica, and borax glass and a binder therefor.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature.

WILLIAM A. WISSLER. 

